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Taxes
Property tax relief for seniors in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 2 programs that can lower property taxes for older adults: Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion and Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. Each one has its own rules and deadline.
Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion
Pennsylvania lowers school property taxes on most owner-occupied homes through the homestead exclusion. Your school district takes the same amount off the assessed value of every approved home before figuring the tax. It isn't only for older people, but you must apply once with your county assessment office by March 1.
How to apply
- In person
- Get your county's homestead and farmstead application from your county assessment office and file it there.
Who may qualify
| Age | No age requirement. Most owner-occupied homes are eligible. |
|---|---|
| Income limit | No income limit. Most owner-occupied homes are eligible. |
| Home | You may qualify if you own the home and it is your primary residence (condominium and co-op units count) |
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (source 1)
What you may get
| What it does | Takes the same amount off the assessed value of every approved home in your school district before school property tax is figured. The amount depends on your district. |
|---|
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (source 1)
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Application deadline | March 1 before the school tax year that starts the next July 1 or January 1. Only the legislature can change this date. |
|---|---|
| Renewal | Your school district must tell you by December 31 if you aren't approved or if your approval is about to expire |
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (source 1)
How Pennsylvania is different
Where Pennsylvania's rules differ from the federal rules for Property tax relief for seniors.
- Not limited to older people: most owner-occupied homes and farms can get it
- Lowers school property tax only, not county or municipal tax
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (source 1)
Good to know
- Renters: this exclusion is only for a home lived in by its owner.
- The exclusion isn't guaranteed. It depends on state property tax reduction money reaching your district, or a local income tax approved by voters.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (source 1)
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
Pennsylvania's Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program sends a yearly rebate of $380 to $1,000 to people 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities, whether they own or rent. For rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2025, household income must be $48,110 or less, and half of Social Security doesn't count. You must apply every year, and the deadline for 2025 rebates is December 31, 2026.
How to apply
- By phone
- 1-888-222-9190
- In person
- Free help with the application is offered at hundreds of places across the state, including senior centers.
- By mail
- Mail Form PA-1000 with proof of age, income, and property taxes or rent paid. Forms are on the Department of Revenue's PTRR forms page.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify
| Age | 65 or older; widows and widowers 50 or older; people with disabilities 18 or older |
|---|---|
| Household income limit for rebates on 2025 property taxes or rent | $48,110 a year or less, for homeowners and renters |
| Social Security | Half of your Social Security, SSI and State Supplementary Payment is not counted |
| Home | You may qualify if you owned or rented your home in Pennsylvania and paid property tax or rent on it in 2025 |
What you may get
| Standard rebate, by 2025 household income | $1,000 (income up to $8,550); $770 ($8,551 to $16,040); $460 ($16,041 to $19,240); $380 ($19,241 to $48,110) |
|---|---|
| Extra (supplemental) rebate for some homeowners | Another $190 to $500, figured automatically, for property owners with income of $32,070 or less whose property taxes are more than 15% of their income, and for those living in Philadelphia, Scranton or Pittsburgh |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Application deadline for rebates on 2025 property taxes or rent | December 31, 2026. Applications postmarked by that date are accepted. |
|---|---|
| Renewal | You must apply again every year. Past applicants get a booklet or reminder letter in the mail. |
| When rebates are paid | Starting July 1, by direct deposit or mailed check |
How Pennsylvania is different
Where Pennsylvania's rules differ from the federal rules for Property tax relief for seniors.
- Renters get the same rebate amounts and income limit as homeowners
- Income limits now rise with the cost of living each year, after the Act 7 of 2023 expansion
- Half of Social Security income is left out when figuring eligibility
Good to know
- Renters: renters qualify on the same terms as homeowners. You send a rent certificate filled in by your landlord, or a notarized affidavit if you can't get the landlord's signature.
- The printed 2025 booklet lists a June 30, 2026 deadline; the department has since extended it to December 31, 2026.
- The Department of Revenue will never ask for your bank account information over the phone. Report scam calls to the Office of Attorney General.
- Check on a rebate with the Where's My Rebate? tool on myPATH, or call 1-888-728-2937.
Free help
Free help with this in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Pennsylvania
Property tax relief in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Property Tax Relief Through Homestead Exclusion (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, 2025 PA-1000 Property Tax or Rent Rebate Program booklet (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Shapiro Administration Encourages Eligible Older Pennsylvanians, People with Disabilities to Apply for Up to $1,000 Rebates on Property Taxes or Rent by December 31 Deadline (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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